Is Chromium a Metal or Nonmetal? (+ 3 Facts to Know)

Chromium is a metal. It is a hard, silvery-gray metal with a blue tinge. 1 It is one of the most important metals in the world, and is used in a wide variety of applications, including stainless steel, chrome plating, and pigments. 2

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Key Takeaways: Is Chromium a Metal or Nonmetal?

  • Chromium is a metal. It has the characteristics and properties of a metal, such as metallic luster, high melting and boiling points, good conductivity of electricity and heat, ductility, malleability, high density, corrosion resistance, and magnetic properties.
  • Chromium is different from other metals in several ways. It has a very high resistance to corrosion, a unique crystal structure, and forms colorful compounds. It also has unique oxidation states and health effects.
  • Chromium is a valuable and versatile metal with a range of applications in various fields, including metallurgy, chemistry, and medicine.

Explanation: Why is chromium a metal?

Chromium is a metal because it has the characteristics and properties of a metal. It is a hard, lustrous, silvery-white metal that is highly resistant to corrosion. It is a good conductor of electricity and heat, and it is ductile and malleable, meaning it can be easily shaped into different forms.

Chromium is also classified as a transition metal, which is a group of metals that have partially filled d orbitals in their atomic structure. 3

Transition metals typically exhibit similar properties, including their ability to form colored compounds and to act as catalysts in chemical reactions. 4 5

In addition to its physical and chemical properties, chromium also has a number of practical applications that are associated with its metallic properties.

For example, it is commonly used as a component in alloys, such as stainless steel, that are known for their strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion. 6

Chromium is also used in the production of chrome plating, which is a process that adds a layer of chromium to a metal object to improve its appearance and increase its resistance to wear and tear. 7

Properties of chromium that classify it as a metal

The properties of chromium that classify it as a metal include:

  • Metallic luster: Chromium has a bright, shiny, and reflective surface, which is a characteristic feature of metals.
  • High melting and boiling points: Chromium has a high melting point of 1,907 °C and a boiling point of 2,671 °C, which are typical of metals. 8
  • Good conductor of electricity and heat: Chromium is a good conductor of electricity and heat, which is a property that is typical of metals.
  • Ductility: Chromium is ductile, meaning it can be drawn into wires without breaking, which is a property of metals. 9
  • Malleability: Chromium is malleable, meaning it can be easily hammered into thin sheets or shapes without breaking, which is another characteristic property of metals. 10
  • High density: Chromium has a high density of 7.19 g/cm³, which is typical of metals. 11
  • Corrosion resistance: Chromium has a high resistance to corrosion, which is a property that is highly valued in many industrial applications.
  • Magnetic properties: Chromium is magnetic, which is a property that is characteristic of many metals. 12

Overall, the combination of these properties makes chromium a typical metal with a range of practical applications.

How is chromium different from other metals?

Chromium has several unique properties that distinguish it from other metals:

  • High corrosion resistance: Chromium has a very high resistance to corrosion, making it particularly useful in applications where exposure to corrosive environments is a concern. This property is due to the formation of a thin layer of chromium oxide on the surface of the metal, which acts as a protective barrier. 13
  • Unique crystal structure: Chromium has a unique crystal structure that is different from most other metals. It has a body-centered cubic (BCC) crystal structure at room temperature, which gives it a particularly high strength and hardness.
  • Colorful compounds: Chromium forms colorful compounds that are used in a variety of applications, including pigments, dyes, and tanning agents. For example, chromium compounds are used to make the distinctive green color of emeralds and the red color of rubies. 14 15
  • Unique oxidation states: Chromium has several oxidation states that are not commonly seen in other metals. For example, it can exist in the +6 oxidation state, which is a particularly powerful oxidizing agent. 16
  • Health effects: Chromium has both positive and negative health effects. While some forms of chromium are essential micronutrients that play a vital role in glucose metabolism, other forms of chromium can be toxic, causing respiratory problems and cancer when inhaled. 17 18 19 20

Overall, these unique properties make chromium a valuable and versatile metal with a range of applications in various fields, including metallurgy, chemistry, and medicine.

Further reading

Is Iron a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Cobalt a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Nickel a Metal?
Is Copper a Metal or Nonmetal?
Is Zinc a Metal or a Nonmetal? 

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References

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  2. Ogawa, K., & Osuki, T. (2019, January 15). Effects of Alloying Elements on Sigma Phase Precipitation in Duplex Stainless Steel (2) – Effects of Alloying Chromium, Molybdenum and Tungsten on C-curve of Sigma Phase Precipitation in Duplex Stainless Steel -. ISIJ International, 59(1), 129–135. https://doi.org/10.2355/isijinternational.isijint-2018-478
  3. P. (n.d.). Chromium | Cr (Element) – PubChem. Chromium | Cr (Element) – PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/element/Chromium
  4. 24.7: Color and the Colors of Complexes. (2015, January 18). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/General_Chemistry/Map%3A_General_Chemistry_(Petrucci_et_al.)/24%3A_Complex_Ions_and_Coordination_Compounds/24.07%3A_Color_and_the_Colors_of_Complexes
  5. Wou.edu https://people.wou.edu/~courtna/ch462/tmcolors.htm
  6. ELSEVIER https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.heliyon.2018.e00958
  7. Pelar, C., Greenaway, K., Zea, H., Wu, C. H., Luhrs, C. C., & Phillips, J. (2018, January 5). Novel Chemical Process for Producing Chrome Coated Metal. MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11010078
  8. Chromium – Element information, properties and uses | Periodic Table. (n.d.). Chromium – Element Information, Properties and Uses | Periodic Table. https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/24/chromium
  9. BRANDES, E. A., GREENAWAY, H. T., & STONE, H. E. N. (1956, September). Ductility in Chromium. Nature, 178(4533), 587–587. https://doi.org/10.1038/178587a0
  10. ShieldSquare Captcha. (n.d.). ShieldSquare Captcha. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/1.2778005/pdf
  11. nglos324 – chromium. (n.d.). Nglos324 – Chromium. https://www.princeton.edu/~maelabs/mae324/glos324/chromium.htm
  12. Bates, L. F., & Baqi, A. (1936, September 1). The magnetic properties of chromium. Proceedings of the Physical Society, 48(5), 781–794. https://doi.org/10.1088/0959-5309/48/5/311
  13. Sun, B., Zuo, X., Cheng, X., & Li, X. (2020, November 17). The role of chromium content in the long-term atmospheric corrosion process. Npj Materials Degradation, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-020-00142-5
  14. It’s Elemental – The Element Chromium. (n.d.). It’s Elemental – the Element Chromium. https://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele024.html
  15. Lennartson, A. (2014, September 22). The colours of chromium. Nature Chemistry, 6(10), 942–942. https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.2068
  16. Boudreaux, K. A. (n.d.). The Parts of the Periodic Table. The Parts of the Periodic Table. https://www.angelo.edu/faculty/kboudrea/periodic/trans_transition.htm
  17. Hexavalent Chromium Compounds – Cancer-Causing Substances. (2022, December 5). National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/chromium
  18. Hossini, H., Shafie, B., Niri, A. D., Nazari, M., Esfahlan, A. J., Ahmadpour, M., Nazmara, Z., Ahmadimanesh, M., Makhdoumi, P., Mirzaei, N., & Hoseinzadeh, E. (2022, August 30). A comprehensive review on human health effects of chromium: insights on induced toxicity. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(47), 70686–70705. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22705-6
  19. Hexavalent Chromium – Health Effects | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Hexavalent Chromium – Health Effects | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. https://www.osha.gov/hexavalent-chromium/health-effects
  20. Chromium (Cr) Toxicity: What Are the Physiologic Effects of Chromium Exposure? | Environmental Medicine | ATSDR. (2013, December 10). Chromium (Cr) Toxicity: What Are the Physiologic Effects of Chromium Exposure? | Environmental Medicine | ATSDR. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/chromium/physiologic_effects_of_chromium_exposure.html

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